Stage setting and means for mounting and operating the same



April 18, 1950 E. GILBERT STAGE SETTING AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1947 INVENTOB ATTQRN EY t P e w L Q m w w v WK April 18, 1950 E. GILBERT 2,504,926

STAGE SETTING AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE SAME Filed Jan. 23, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 75 77 40 Edward iZZeri.

6M BY W W ATTORNEYJ April 18, 1950 E. GILBERT STAGE SETTING AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 23, 1947 INVENTO HhEdward 'iiber't ATTORJZZW Patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STAGE SETTING AND MEANS FOR MOUNT- QlflERATING THE SAME Edward Gilbert, NewYork, N. Y., assignor of onethird to Le na s l nd o -th rd to Ethel a-Ber er ot ew York, N- Y- eee l ethe Jense 23, 1947, S r des-12 2 .72.

9 clai (01. 272 22) Ihls invention relates to stage settings and means for mounting and operating the same. 'In myPatent No. 2,182,757 issued December 5,

19391 have set forth'a stage setting comprising;

'a plurality of'sc'ene section's arranged together like the leaves of a loook with the free end edges of the scene sections "meeting in vertical line to form parts of'the back walls of the different scenes 'and angularlv movable 'section' by section to'forin' the opposite. sidewalls of other scenes.

My present invention while embodying certain features oithe aforesaid patent comprises novel and improved means for 'n'i'oun'ting and moving the scene sections angularl y with respect to each other wherehytheir movementand operation are simplified andtacilitatedl 'A"fu"rther object ofthe' invention is a novel and improved mounting means for the scene section's whereloygthe groups of the scene sections are s'i nchronously moved as units with the angular movements always occurring atthe same points on the stage.

A further object of'theinvention is a novel and improved stasis setting of the above indicated characterwherein the scenesections having their ree. end edgescontisuousformthe whole of the hack walls. of the scenes'with no other independn r ntetlan hpe ti e ecti ns.

A the ob ec -of he in ention is a stage settin o th fa c e.indicated charac e -wherein t e i tasted. ee se ense e id w h n vel a i prov d a x liary. scene st tu es which are operated upon angmar movement of the corresponding sections.

Further objects of the invention will hereinafter appear. For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawinsforming a part of this application wherein Fig. l is a diagrammatic plan view of a stage setting andmounting therefor embodying the inon; F g 2 is aside view thereof looking in th direc onjoiline 2- 2 oi -Fit. 1;

l 3 an enlarged more. detailed view of the iorward "part of the mounting and operating stincturefshovJn'in-Fig. l;

Fig. e is] a View partly in section. and partly in elevation showing certain"features of th mountof the scene sectionsj Big. 5 is'a'pierspective. view of onescene strne- 7 'g. h is a perspective view of another scene a gm " Fig"? isa pers iew 9f anoth s en Fig. 8 is a view similarto Fig. 4 showing a modification; and

Fig. 9 is a View of-a modification.

Referring to Fig. 1- I have'illustrated diagrammatically in plan view the stage setting or" my'in} vention. It comprises two'groups' A" and B of scene sections or parts; Each group comprises a plurality of scene sections an'cl'in the particular embodiment each of the groups is provided with seven movables'ectionsl The sections in the group A are designated I; 3, 5, 1;9, l! and ifihndthe movable scene sections in group B are designated 2, 3, 6, 8, 16, Hand M. ".A fixed back scene 15 is provided, that is, this back scene is not mounted for movement with the groups A and B.

The scene sections of the groups A and B complement each other to form the successive back walls of the scenes. Namelythe scene sections 3and 4, 5 and 6; 1 and '8, 9 and ii), i} and I2 are respectivelycomplementary having their inneredges [6 contiguous so that each pair of scene sections forms a complete background. tor a scene. The scene sections l and 2 form the side parts of the' composite scene which includes the front sides of the scene sections 3 and 4. The back of the sectionssand 4 form the side portions of the compositscene Whichincludes th front parts of the scenes 5 and 6 and "the hack sides of the scene sections 5 and 6, land 8, 9 and it, ll and 52 form respectively the side portions or the composite scenessuccessively staged. In th particular embodiment illustrated the scene sections i3 and it are rigid or integral with each other and consist of an arch through which the back fixed scene i5 is visible from the front. The groups A and B of the movable scene sections are mounted for advance and movement as a unit. They move as a unit and in parallel relation as indicated by the arrows 20 in directly forward and backward directions depending upon the particular scene to, ;be exhibited to the audience. The groups A and B. are also mounted for movement as separate units but synchronously in the direction ofthe lines H which are disposed at an angle to the directions 26, the arrangement being such that obtuse angles C are formed between the side scenesections and the back wall scene sectionsformingthe composite scenes. The

mounting and movem ent are such that the relative angular movements between the scene sections to form the composite scenes of a continuous back wall and side was parts successively oocurat th'esamef perms. D and E of the stage. This t1 as e section "grdil For examplaassumattests-tee s ts i to e i is true regardless of .the di'rection of movement-of played, namel the scene with the front sides of the scene sections 5 and 6 forming the back wall and the back sides of the scene sections 3 and 4 to form the side portions of the composite scene the whole of the groups A and B are advanced as a unit laterally to the direction of the scene sections and with the latter in parallel relation except that the scene sections 3 and f during this movement are moved angularly through the angles to occupy the positions of the scen sections i and 2 in full lines while the latter scene sections and 2 advance rearwardly in the direction of the arrows or lines 2|.

If it is desired to stage a composite scene formed of the back sides of the scene sections ii and 12 as the side portions and the front side of the sections I3, 24 and the fixed scene section l5, all of the scene sections 2, 4, 6, 8 and [0 would assume the positions illustrated in dotted line in Fig. 1 while the scene section l2 would assume the position of the scene 2 shown in full lines, each complementary section having been angularly moved through the angle 0 after reaching the position. shown in full lines of the scene section 4. Similarly the scene sections 3, 5, i, 9 and H would 4 be angularly moved one by one after they reach the full line position of the scene section 3 and the scene section I I occupying the position shown in full lines of scene section ii Thus the groups A and B of scene sections or those sections to the rear of the position occupied by the scenes 3 and 4 in Fig. 1 move as a unit in the forward direction upon change of scenes and all of the scene sections disposed at right angles to the lines or direction arrows 20 move as a unit in a backward direction upon a change in scene requiring such backward movement. The scene sections of the groups A and B which are disposed on the sides move as individual units in the direction of the arrows 2| but with the scene sections of a group advancing parallel to each other, and upon the movement of these individual side position groups in a forward direction the complementary scene sections in the van of the groups are angularly moved through the angles 0 to assume positions where their free ends or vertical edges is are contiguous.

The means for mounting and imparting the desired scene changing movements comprises two pairs of mounts and drives F. Each of these mounts comprises a pair of vertically spaced triangular frame members, the upper triangular frame members being shown at 25 and the lower frame members being shown at 26. The triangular frame members 25 are disposed in coplanar relation and likewise the triangular frame members 26 are disposed in coplanar relation, the latter being disposed on or adjacent the floor of the stage while the former are disposed adjacent the upper edges 21 of the scene sections. The

frame members 25 are disposed directly above their corresponding frame members 26 with their corresponding sides disposed directly above corresponding sides of the frame members 26. The

sides of the triangular frames are denoted 28, 29 and 39 respectively, the sides 28 and 29 being disposed at right angles to each other with the sides 28 being disposed parallel to the direction lines or arrows 26. Each pair of vertically spaced frames 25 and 26 is formed into a rigid unit by a pair of upstanding U-shaped beams 3|, 32

having flanges 3i and 32' respectively for attachment to the floor or floor beams. Each frame 25, 26 of a pair has journaled at the corners thereof means for carrying a flexible conveyor to which the scene sections 1 to M are fastened as, for example, the sprockets 35, 3B and 31. The flexible conveyor or actuator to which the scene sections are fastened is, in the particular embodiment illustrated, a sprocket chain which is mounted on the sprockets 35, 36 and. These chains are identical for each triangular frame and are designated by the numeral 38. The sprockets 35 and 36 are mounted upon stub shafts 35' and 36 suitably journaled in the frames while the upper and lower sprockets 3! are mounted upon a vertical shaft 39 in driving relation therewith, the shaft being suitably journaled in the upper and lower frames and 2%. The lower side frame members 28 and 39 each comprise two spaced parallel frame members between which the lower sprockets 35, 36 and 3'!" are journaled, the sprockets 35 and as being journaled on the stub shafts 35' and 36 carried by the side members and the sprocket 37 being fastened to its corresponding vertical drive shaft 'eii. As described below track rails 28' and 353 are disposed above and spaced from the corresponding side members 28 and of the upper triangular frames. The upper sprockets are mounted between these spaced frame members with the sprockets and 35 being mounted on the stub shafts 35 and 36 carried by the side frame members and the upper sprocket 3'! being keyed to its corresponding shaft 39.

The scene sections I to [4 are mounted on the outer sides of the flexible conveyors 33 as, for example, being mounted upon corresponding upper and lower links of the upper and lower sprocket chains 38. They are attached to the chain links by means of elongated vertical plates 40.

The scene sections are fastened edgewise in any suitable manner to the middle portions these plate members 48 as by means of the L-brackets M and the latter are fastened to the chain links by means of brackets 42. Each scene section therefore is fastened at its edge to the vertical plate members ii] by the L bracket members ii, any number of these fastenings desired being provided and preferably at least at points near the bottom and top of the scenes. In the particular embodiment shown these plate members 6i! are co-extensive in length with the height of the scenes. The scene sections are thereby moved by the chain conveyors 38 along the sides 23 and 3d of the triangular frame units.

For supporting and guiding the scene sections in straight paths independently of the flexible character of the conveyors 38 the sections are roller supported at their upper edges. For this purpose the upper side frame member 28 is provided with a spaced upper track rail 28 and the side frame member 39 is provided with a similar upper spaced track rail 36 and these track rails 28 and 3B are formed integral with each other through a curved section at at their forward ends. These track rails 28, 38' and 48 are provided with a continuous guiding flange 45 at their outer edges (Fig. 3). The plate members 40 carry at their upper ends journal brackets it on which are journaled rollers 67 following the track 28', 383' and $8 with the flange guiding and holding the plates 49 in line with the movement of the chains. By this means the scene sections are caused to move in a direct linear path at right angles to the plane of the sections, both along the side frame members 28, 28' and along the side frame members 30, 30' and when passing from one of the side frame members to the other are -guided alongthe curved 1 rail '48:: so astoprovide aneasyand "steady movement;

The rollers- 41 iassist thesclrairis 38min supporting the scene sections.

Strips 504 of a suitably flexible material; such as canvas are fastened to the oppositefaces of. the adjacent scene sections at their; points" of fastening to the platesqdd and for the purpose of. covering theopenings at the points Dv and;E; when the scene sections assume angular" movements with: respect to; eachother. Anappearance of continuity thereby; is given to-the back wall and side wall sections. In, the particular embodiment shown, the; edges of these-strips 5D areicaught between the brackets ti and the faces of theplaternembers til;

The groups A =and B ot scenesections are syn: chronized in'their movements by a shaft 5i which; is journaled in vertical frame members 52 mounted adjacent "the verticalshaftstt, these frame members 52- a flanges???" resting on'the floor or other sunporting structure. Each, of theframe members 52 carries intermediate its height a stub shaft 55 suitable iournaled therein andeach shaft 55 is gearedto its corresponding shaft 39 through a worm gear 56 51; thei'worm gear 56- being; mounted on the shaft 38 and the worm gear El being mounted on the stub shaft 55: Each of the stub shafts 55 carries a'sprocket Eli-disposed directly below a corresponding sprocket 59 onthe'end ofa shaft 59 which carries a bevel gear meshing with a bevel gear on the end' of the shaft 55, and a sprocket chain-5f], one foreither end of the shaft 5i, gears the groups of scene sections. A andBitogethi for; synchronous, timed relation. synchronous and timed movements may be imparted to the scenesections A and Bby operating the flexible conveyors 38'! and in the particular embodiment shown they are: actuated by attaching a driving means to a counter shafted Also. intheparticular embodiment shown this means is duplicated and comprisesaliandle 51 mounted one; crank arm 62 which is fastened to the shaft 5!), The stub shaft 55! may be mounted in any suite able" manner and in the particularv embodiment illustrated as being. mounted in a U frame member 65 which fastened to the vertical beam members while theyshaft, Si is mounted on a bracket member 651- Each, upstanding frame member fiz as'sists the vertical-U beams 3i and 32'. in supporting the frame, At '59 I have shown reinforcing rods ill. attached at their upper ends to the name members 52' and armed ower, ends 12 to the floor or other structure and these" re inforcing reds are provided with turn buckles If for adjusting and assisting in the support of the frames. H s} in the embodiment of Fig. 8"1'. have illustrated a slightly modified-roller structure support for the scene sections. In" this embodiment the" up per guide rail 28" (and the correspondingguiderail 38' and 58) is provided with an inclined track 15, that; tracinwhich is inclined to the var-near approsimateiy 'i'5*'against which bear the where 4'5, the latter-being journaledon suit able brackets T6 fastened to the plates 4ft. By this means. the friction.of;the flange 45' against the wheels i'f is: avoided. this embodiment the plates iir are provided with hrackets'li'carrying rollers it which bearagainst atrack IS disposed underneath. theside; members. 28 and 7 3B;

of the lowertriangnlalr frame. By this means the scene:- sections are not subject to the ten decor. f 1thefl x b econ yor chainte tot-sw at pointsbetweenthesp ocket to form'- complementary halves.

In addition to the support of the scenescctions afiorded'by-the fastening, to the" flexible conv tz and another-straight section 8-3.

Screens/ are positioned along the side frame members 30 of the triangular frames, that is one screen, 85 for eaohend and a screen 85 is fastened by a suitable means 86 to the side scene section land a screen 85 on the other side is similarly fastened to the backiof the side scene section 2. These screens 85 are thu adapted to move synchronously with thescene sections I and 2. These screensst function to screen the sides of the frametunits Fialong the side members 30 in all positions of the side scene sections I and 2 I It is desired that. the complementary scene sectiohsforma substantial continuation of each other and they form the back walls of a scene and-in order to assure such continuation, I have provided apiair ofsspring pressed holding pins 90 against which the contiguous ends of the corn-1 plementary scene section's hear when forming the-central back walls of the scenes. These pins 93 are biased by the springs 9| to the uprnost position, that is ina position to engagethe front ides of the contiguous endslof the scene sec? tions as they advanQ'Q to the foremost position where upon further forward movement they are given the angular movements C. These holding and alining pinsilfl are: retracted momentarily at the beginning er scene shift in movement to clear the path of the scene sections. For this purpose; have indicated a cordof wire 92 having one end attached to the lower end of the pin 98 and passing around a guide 9t to a manual means for pulling the wire or cord indicated at 94 Just before actuation of the flexible conveyors 38 the cords or wires 92 are-pulled to release or retract the holding and mining pins as.

If the shift is forward to the next succeeding scene the pins are released immediately upon the beginning of the movement of-the scene so as to be in a position to engage and aline the next compleinentary scene sections; If the shift is back-- wardso that the scene Sections need to be moved all the way back from the side position to the back position or the scene, these pins must be held the lower or retracted position until the 1 scenes reach the position of the scenes 3 and 4 shown in Fig 1.

Fig. 5' I have illustrated a scene structure which is incorporated between certain of the adjacent scene sections, this structure being coli laps-isle whenthe adjacent sections are disposed lower part me which is fastened-to the adiacent scer'iesection along thevertical-li-nes IEH. Mid way. of its width itjis-foldedalong-the lines I 02, These halves are cut away intermediate. their heights along theicurved lines [03; to form theupperhalf of a fireblaceopening. These curved lines 593 curve inwardly and merge. into substantially vertical lines-Q1 94 extending dewnto I945; Theportion of I between and above which is suspended a conventional fireplace pot I86. The upper part of the scene structure cooperating with the lower part Hill is a roof part I01, the latter comprising two complementary parts fastened to the ad- J'acent scene sections along the lines I62, the latter being inclined to the lines I I! I. This upper half Ill'I of the structure is folded along the line I119. The halves of the roof part II)? have lower edges H6 at their lower and wider ends. These edges III! assume a more nearly horizontal position as the adjacent scene sections are angularly moved relatively to each other and correspondingly the pitch line I63 of the roof assumes a more nearly horizontal position as these scene sections are relatively moved angularly and assumes a greater inclination as indicated in the dash lines shown when the two scene sections are relatively angularly moved to bring them into adjacent parallelism. This forms part of a kitchen scene.

In Fig. 6 I have shown another scene structure cooperatively functioning with adjacent scenes which forms a part of a palace gate scene. In this structure the lower part IE5 is adapted to illustrate a wall or fence and comprises halves having a central folding line I Iii and fastened to adjacent scenes along the lines 5 fl, the attaching lines II I being substantially vertical. The upper part of this structure comprises two tapcred halve I I 8 attached to adjacent scenes along the lines H9 which are disposed at an angle to the vertical, the tapered end of the structure extending down to the stage floor or approximately thereto and the central fold line of the structure being indicated at I20. This part I253 may be used to represent the outlines of a palace and a statute I2! is formed as a separate part fastened to the left-hand side half Hi5 of the structure. When the scene sections are moved together in parallel lines the composite structures fold along the lines II 6 and Ill in collapsible relation.

In the embodiment of Fig '7 I have shown an ante room with a scene structure comprising a pair of wings I25. These wings are mounted on the forward edge of a supporting strip I31 fastened along its edge I28 to the adjacent scene section and mounted forward of the lower part of the folded supporting strip I21 is an upwardly extending part !29 as shown. In addition to the mounting of the wings on the supporting strip I21 they may be attached near their outer edges to the adjacent scene sections by means for distending them or pulling them apart when the scene sections are opened and I have shown a wire I26 fastened at one end to a scene section and at its other end to one of the wings I25 for this purpose. As the adjacent scene sections are opened during their relative angular movement the wires I28 spread the wings 525 out to simulate the design intended.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated power means for operating the moving scene sections, This comprises an electric motor I33 suitably mounted as, for example, on the floor structure and this motor I33 is provided with a pulley I32 for driving a pulley I38 on the end of the shaft 55, a belt ISI being shown for this purpose. Means may be provided for reversing the rotation of the shaft 55 as, for example, by providing for electrical means for reversing the lever I33 or a coupling either in the motor shaft or in the shaft I55 for reversing the rotation with a motor I33 operating in the same direction. The motor controls are omitted for convenience in illustration.

At I I have illustrated a proscenium arch for the stage.

Thus notwithstanding the large size and number of scenes and the multiple number of scene sections the composite scenes may be changed ,with marked facility and ease with a minimum number of employees. As described above the composite scenes may be exhibited in succession one after the other with the exhibited scenes remaining for a period stationary between each shift of scenes, or any composite scene desired may be very quickly exhibited whether it is the first or the last composite scene by simply uninterruptedly driving the flexible conveyors and carriers until the desired composite scene is reached. All of this may be done in the view of the audience and without the lowering of the front curtain and without disturbance or interruption of the presentation of the play. Also as pointed out above, the composite scenes occupy the same position on the stage when moved for exhibition.

While I have illustrated my invention as particularly applied to the theatre, it is understood that certain features thereof are useful in other applications such, for example, as in changeable displays, store window advertising displays, exhibit displays, interior furnishing displays and the like wherein the structure, mounting, control and operation of the scene sections render it possible to obtain a large variety of different composite scenes in a particularly simple and comparatively inexpensive manner. In any of these applications where it may be desired to display different composite scenes in succession and repeatedly, a reversible driving means may be provided as described above with respect to the modification of Fig. 9, automatic control means being provided for reversing the drive when the last scene is exposed for successive display in the reverse direction of the scenes with the operations being repeated in cycles. Also preferably the controls are such as to permit each composite scene to remain stationary for a brief period before the change is made to the next composit scene. For these purposes control means may be provided at any suitable station as, for example, at the position occupied by the scene sections 3 and 4 shown in full lines in Fig. 1 for temporarily disconnecting the drive or arresting the operation of the electric motor together with means for re-engaging the drive or re-starting the motor after a predetermined period of exhibition of this particular scene and so on through the series of different composite scenes. Other means may be provided for reversing the direction of movement of the flexible drive when the last composite scene is exhibited in either direction.

I claim:

1. A stage setting comprising: two groups of complementary scene sections adapted to form different composite scenes in succession with two sections of one group forming respectively a sidewall and a part of the backwall of a scene and two sections of the other group forming respectively the balance of the backwall and the other sidewall of said scene; a pair of separate flexible conveyor means having opposed parallel horizontal reaches extending normal to the backwall to be formed, corresponding ends of said reaches terminating adjacent opposite ends of said backwall, said pair of conveyor means also having other horizontal reaches connected to said ends of said parallel opposed reaches and extending at an angle greater than 270 thereto, the scene sections of each group being rigidly secured along one edge thereof to one of said conveyor means at substantially uniformly spaced distances therealong and perpendicular thereto for movement as a unit therewith and in positions normal to said movement, whereby opposed sections of the two groups may be successively positioned in alignment at said ends of said opposed reaches to form backwalls of different successive scenes while adjacent sections of each group are simultaneously angularly positioned to form sidewalls.

2. A stage setting as defined in claim 1 including auxiliary scene-section-supporting means comprising a horizontal guide track rail following the path of movement of each of said fiexible conveyor means and rollers fastened to said scene sections and bearing on said rail.

3. A stage setting as defined in claim 1 including auxiliary scene-section-supporting means comprising stage-engaging rollers secured to certain of said sections adjacent their free edges.

4. A stage setting as defined in claim 1 including means connecting said pair of conveyor means for operating the same in synchronism.

5. The structure defined in claim 1 in which each of the conveyor means comprises two vertically spaced flexible conveyors connected for synchronous operation.

6. A stage setting for successively forming a plurality of different scenes, each said scene having a backwall and two sidewalls, said setting comprising: a pair of separate flexible conveyor means having parallel reaches extending forward- 1y to points adjacent the ends of the backwall to be formed and connecting reaches extending outwardly from said points at an angle greater than 270 to said parallel reaches; two series of complementary scene sections mounted in opposition on said conveyor means at substantially uniformly spaced distances therealong for movement therewith, each said section being rigidly secured to its conveyor means by one edge in a perpendicular position and disposed normal to its direction of movement, the free edges of opposed sections on said parallel reaches being substantially contiguous, whereby movement of said conveyor means successively positions a pair of opposed complementary sections at the forward ends of said parallel reaches to form the backwall of a scene and simultaneously swings two other complementary sections into position to form the sidewalls of the scene.

7. The structure defined in claim 6 in which each of the conveyor means comprises a pair of vertically spaced endless conveyors.

8. The structure defined in claim 6 in which each of the conveyor means comprises a vertical structure having triangular frames at the top and bottom thereof, journalled rotary vertical supports at each corner of said frames, and upper and lower endless conveyors mounted on said supports.

9. The structure defined in claim 6 including auxiliary scene-section-supporting means comprising upper and lower guide track rails following the paths of movement of each of said conveyor means, and rollers fastened to the scene sections for bearing on said rails, the bearing surface of said upper rails being transversely inclined downwardly and outwardly of said sections and the bearing surface of said lower rails being disposed in a vertical plane and facing inwardly of said sections.

EDWARD GILBERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,612,858 Dryden Jan 4, 1927 1,849,049 Rand -l Mar. 8, 1932 1,985,707 Young Dec. 25, 1934 2,182,757 Gilbert Dec. 5, 1939 

